Sierra County, Calif. — Two years after four teenage girls vanished from a hiking trail near Camp Sierra Pines, a tip from an anonymous caller has led to the rescue of two of the missing girls, the arrest of a suspect, and the discovery of multiple sites authorities believe were used to hold them captive.

The Disappearance

On a summer afternoon in 2014, the girls — all campers at Sierra Pines — were last seen near the Parson Jones redwood, a landmark trail stop minutes from their cabin. The search that followed involved local, state, and federal resources, but yielded no clothing, footprints, or confirmed sightings.

By the end of the 2014 season, the camp closed permanently. Leads dwindled, and the case remained open but inactive.

Anonymous Call and Bunker Discovery

In 2016, an unidentified woman called county emergency dispatch, alleging her husband was involved in the disappearances and maintained “a bunker close to where they went missing.” The call cut out before further details could be obtained, and the number was untraceable.

Investigators, led by Sgt. Tom Heler, revisited the search grid near the original disappearance site. Within hours, deputies located a concealed metal hatch flush with the forest floor. The underground structure contained four cots, clothing consistent with camp uniforms, and personal effects later identified as belonging to the missing girls. A handwritten note read: “We can’t see the sky. Please tell my mom I’m sorry.”

Fresh Evidence and Suspect Identification

Fresh footprints and tire tracks near the site indicated recent use. Evidence from the bunker, including a handwritten log, pointed to ongoing captivity and possible relocation of the girls after earlier search efforts.

Witness analysis and the tipster’s information led investigators to identify Mark Callaway, 47, a local heavy equipment operator and former seasonal worker at Sierra Pines, as a suspect. His wife, later identified as the anonymous caller, confirmed he had moved the girls to an alternate location — an old hunting cabin near Miller’s Creek.

Rescue Operation

Coordinated teams from the county sheriff’s office and state police moved on the Miller’s Creek site. The approach revealed booby traps and defensive measures around the cabin. Inside, officers found fresh bedding and clothing. Tracks leading from the back of the cabin prompted a pursuit.

Callaway was apprehended in the forest while attempting to flee with a teenage girl later confirmed as Khloe Moore, one of the original missing campers. She was taken to a hospital for evaluation. A second girl, identified as Clare, had been recovered days earlier from a separate encounter with Callaway.

Two of the original four remain missing.

Charges and Ongoing Investigation

Callaway has been charged with multiple counts of kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and aggravated assault. He is being held without bail. Investigators are working to determine the whereabouts of the remaining victims and to identify possible accomplices.

Authorities have not disclosed all evidence recovered but confirmed that both survivors provided information critical to the search for the others.

Community and Family Response

Families of the missing expressed a mix of relief and grief. “Safe is just the first step,” said Lena Moore, Khloe’s sister. “We’re not done until all of them are home.”

The sheriff’s office has asked anyone with information about Callaway’s activities or other potential holding sites to contact their tip line./